Jean Kosciw

Jean Kosciw, 68 YARMOUTH -- Jean Rioux Kosciw, of Yarmouth, completed her earthly journey, a victim of cancer, on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. She was at home, surrounded by her sons. Jean was born in Portland on May 20, 1944, the daughter of Alfred J. and Alma LaRou Rioux. When she was three years old, the Rioux family moved to Peaks Island. She attended school on Peaks Island and graduated from Portland High School in 1962. Jean graduated with honors and received the Brown Medal for excellence. In 1969, Jean married Thomas Kosciw, who was serving in the Marine Corps. Together they started a family, having two boys, David and Steven. During his long career, the family lived and traveled in many places around the world including Virginia, South Carolina, Okinawa, Japan and Maryland. Jean and Tom made many friends and great memories wherever they lived. Jean returned to Maine with her family fulfilling their plans to retire and live in Maine near her mother and family. The family settled in Yarmouth and she lived there for the rest of her life. As her sons grew up, Jean restarted her career working at Anthem. She went to Husson College and earned her B.S. in Accounting. She graduated with high honors and used her degree to advance her position at work. Jean worked at Anthem for 24 years leaving many great friends and memories behind her at work. She belonged to the Sacred Heart Parish in Yarmouth. Her faith and service were always an important part of her life. She joined Church outings to Ireland, Vienna, and Greece. She enjoyed travelling and learning about the world. Other than her family, Jean's great love was gardening. She planted beautiful shrubs and flowers all around her house. Her great joy was creating and maintaining a rock garden behind the house. Jean reached out to the world and embraced life in a positive way. She shared words of wisdom with her family and friends. Her special love lives on, Jean Kosciw Lindquist Funeral Home Funeral Home & Cremation Service 846-4011 for she touched the lives of all who knew her. She loved her sons and her two great-nieces, Leanne and Ava, who were special to her. Jean's strength of character and her kind nature will never be forgotten. She used and shared the gifts that she had received. Now, she has moved into God's embrace with peace and joy. She is survived by her sons, David, now living in Yarmouth, and Steven, who lives in Japan. In addition, she is survived by her brothers, Richard Rioux, who lives in Portland, and Donald Rioux and his wife Marie, who live in Dorchester, Mass., and her sisters, Shirley and her husband Maurice Michaud, who live in Missouri, Florence and her husband Erhard Griffin, who live on Long Island, her twin, Joan Cook, who lives in Portland, Audrey and her husband Peter Bryant, who live in Portland, and Carmen Ragucci, who lives Gorham, husband of Maria. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Alma; her husband, Tom; her brother, James, and sisters, Alma, Barbara and Maria. Visiting hours will be on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, from 2-5 p.m., at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth. A reception will immediately in the church hall. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Yarmouth next spring. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Jean's life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: The ASPCA at: ASPCA.ORG or call: (800) 628-0028